The 2018 Lincoln Navigator Is Here And It's Glorious Once Again

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Forget bling. This is all about elegance.

For too many years, the Lincoln Navigator lost the luster it had when it first debuted back in 1998. That said, the Lincoln brand as a whole has struggled for years in trying to find its footing, but the all-new 2018 Navigator is a clear sign things are getting back on track. Making its official debut at the New York Auto Show, the 2018 Lincoln Navigator is, once again, a full-size luxury SUV, but it’s a much better competitor now to the likes of the Cadillac Escalade. Power, as expected, comes from a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 good for 450 horsepower paired to a 10-speed auto.

Thanks to plenty of high-strength aluminum body panels, the new Navigator is almost 200 pounds lighter than its predecessor. Lincoln hasn’t released its tow rating, but did mention additional weight savings have been reinvested for towing duties as well as sound deadening materials for inside, such as laminated front and side glass. Step inside (and yes, the gullwing doors from last year's concept are gone), there are three rows and plenty of storage throughout the cabin. Lincoln specifically points out the new cargo management system featuring an adjustable shelf behind the rear seats that allows passengers to create customized storage according to their needs.

What’s cool is that even when parked on an incline, the shelf is designed to prevent groceries rolling out when the liftgate is opened. Lincoln describes the overall interior layout as "clean and uncluttered, with a simple, soothing ambiance." There’s definitely a greater emphasis now on ultra-luxury, and buyers can get Black Label options, basically even more exclusive interior offerings and ownerships perks already available on the Continental flagship sedan. Other interior features include six USB ports, four 12-volt power outlets and a 110-volt plug. There’s also an available wireless phone charger in the first-row center console.

The Sync3 infotainment system, with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is standard, and second-row passengers even have their own audio and climate control. Heck, third-row passengers receive power reclining seats. The driver and front passenger 30-way adjustable seats have something called Perfect Position Seating, offering massage, heating and cooling functionality. Other goodies include optional Revel Ultimata speakers, a rear-seat entertainment system with 10-inch screens that can display different content. Lincoln also has a thing going with Sling Media for customers who own a Slingbox, meaning they can access their preferred TV channels on the go.

The dash design feature a 12-inch configurable instrument cluster and an available head-up display. Exterior design wise, the new Navigator bears the same grille design as the Continental, which will undoubtedly, once again, draw design comparisons to Bentley. Pricing and an on sale date have yet to be announced, but we expect the 2018 Navigator to be in dealerships by next fall.